LOVESICK

US, 1983, 96 minutes, Colour.
Dudley Moore, Elizabeth McGovern?, Alec Guinness, Christine Baranski, Gene Saks, Renee Taylor, John Huston.
Directed by Marshall Brickman.

Lovesick is a might have been successful comedy. It has excellent credentials - but unfortunately misfires.

The film is written and directed by Marshall Brickman, writer and director of the Alan Arkin satire Simon, and collaborated with Woody Allen on such films as Annie Hall and Manhattan (echoes of which are seen in the satire of life in New York). The film was one of Dudley Moore's many comedy vehicles in the early '80s (many of which were not particularly successful e.g. Wholly Moses, Six Weeks, Romantic Comedy). Elizabeth McGovern? (Ragtime, Once Upon a Time in America, Racing with the Moon) is a charming leading lady. Alec Guinness tries an impersonation of Freud. There are all kinds of guest spots ranging from directors Gene Sacks and Wallace Shawn to Renee Taylor and artist, Larry Rivers. John Huston also appears as a psychiatrist - Huston had directed Montgomery Clift in the film biography of Freud in the early '60s. Of some interest and enjoyment -but not successful.

1. A comedy, satire? Exploration of obsessions, psychology? Psychiatrists and their responsibilities? Transference? In the New York setting? The blend of comedy and satire?

2. Production values: the atmosphere of New York, the offices, apartments, the streets, theatre, art galleries, hospitals? Colour photography? Musical score? Special effects with Alec Guinness impersonating Freud?

3. The title and its amiable romantic tone? Indication of themes? Romantic comedy? Psychiatry?

4. The portrait of Saul Benjamin: Dudley Moore's pleasant interpretation? Adequate scope for Dudley Moore's style? His friendship with Otto Jaffe? The meeting with Chloe? Attraction, sessions, his falling in love, 'counter-transference'? Freud's materialising and giving him advice, asking him questions? Saul's obsession with Chloe, going to the theatre, seeing Chloe and Ted? His decision to have treatment? The visit to Dr Geller? His breaking into Chloe's apartment, the journal? His wife and her living with the artist? The psychiatrists gathering together to discuss Saul's behaviour, his suspension? Saul's erratic behaviour - going to the street people, the encounter with Marvin? The dinner, his self-defence, his helping Marvin and the Social Security money? Everything blowing up? Antagonism towards Chloe? His pulling the tablecloth from the table and going off to Mexico? A happy ending?

5. Chloe and her problems, writing, the theatre, relationship with Ted? Rehearsals? Her wanting new affairs? The up and down relationship? (Who was lovesick?) The journal, Chloe and Marvin? The fight and the reunion?

6. Alec Guinness' portrait of Freud - a humorous conceit, Freud's words, the corny humour (about Freudian slips etc)? The homage to Freud, the spoof of Freud's influence? The scenes between Saul and Freud?

7. The gallery of supporting characters - the range of eccentrics: the patients -the nymphomaniac, the frantic man, Mrs Mondragon, the gay patient, the silent man? The society people at Otto's party? The world of the theatre with Ted Caruso and his self-centredness, the people at the rehearsals? The people at the art gallery, the artist, the director? The street people, especially Marvin? The people at the hospital, the Social Security office? The range of psychiatrists at the dinner?

8. John Huston's sketch as the concerned doctor? His advice to Saul?

9. American interest in psychology, psychoanalysis, Freud? The influence on actors and actresses? Therapy? The satire on the influence of Freud? The satire on emotional and mental illness? While affirming the need for therapy?